Tray



TRAY

Filed July 7, 1933 Patented Sept. 4, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3Claims.

This invention relates to trays, and is more especially designed for usein hospitals, where a large number of tumblers containing medicants arerequired to be carried by a nurse to numerous patients.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a sanitary durabletray that is of cheap and simple construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tray designed to carry aplurality of tumblers, or the like, containing medicants of differentcharacter, and having means arranged opposite each glass to identify thecontents thereof, and also containing the name of the patient to receivethe medicine. By this arrangement, errors in administering the differentmedicants is obviated, and the time required to serve the patientsreduced to a minimum.

My invention will be more readily understood by reference to theaccompanying drawing which forms a part of this application and inwhich- Figure 1 is a plan view of my tray,

Figure 2 is a side View thereof;

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view F taken on line A-A ofFigure 1; and

Figure 4 is one of the cards to be used in the card holders.

Referring now to the drawing- 1 indicates the tray proper, preferablystamped from a single sheet of metal and oval in shape with all cornersrounded to avoid accumulation of dirt. The tray 1 consists of tiers 2and 3. Tier 2 is made of larger area than tier 3, so as to form anextension edge or horizontal surface 4. Each tier has a horizontalsurface and an angularly disposed flange or side walls 5. The horizontalsurface 4 of each tier is provided with a plurality of openings 6adapted to receive the tumblersV containing prescriptions, or the like,for the patients. These openings are arranged circumferentially of thehorizontal surface of each of the tiers.

Supported around the angular side walls 5 of each tier are a pluralityor" card holders 7 adapted to contain cards 8, similar to that shown inFigure 4 of the drawing. It will be noted from the drawing thatpositioned opposite each tumbler holder is a holder containing a cardconstituting an indicator. Each card, it will be noted, disclosescertain identification data for the diiferent patients. The cards areusually inscribed with the desired information priorV to placing thetumblers in the holders. The fact that each tumbler has its individualcard, there is no possibility of the nurse confusing the prescriptionswhen administering to the different patients. Heretofore the cardsbearing the name of the patient, the prescription to be administered,and the like, were so placed on the tray that it was necessary to liftthe card from the tray to read the instructions, but with my inventionit will be readily seen that the card-holders being attached to theangular side walls; it is easily read by the nurse without the necessityof handling.

To prevent the cards becoming soiled. or blurred, a covering ofcellophane or other transparent material may be inserted over the card.The transparent covers for the cards may vary in color for the Variousfrequencies of the medicines. In lieu of the different colored coversthe cards may differ in color.

To reinforce the base of the tray, metal strips 9 in the form of a crossare attached to the interior surface of the side walls of the lower tier2.

It will be noted that the upper and lower tiers 2 and 3 have cut outportions 10 and 11, respectively. By havng these sections cut away, itis possible to support a pitcher on the reinforcing metal cross strips12.

A suitable handle 13 is provided for the tray, said handle beingattached to base plate 1. The handle, as shown, comprises two U-shapedside members 14 and 15 connected at the top by a hand-piece 16.Supported between the U-shaped side members 14 and 15, is a shelf 1'7adapted to receive the covers for the tumblers containing the medicants.It will be understood, however, that other articles may be carried onsaid shelf.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In atray, comprising a horizontal wall surface connected to angularside walls, a plurality of tumbler holders arranged circumferentially ofand formed in said horizontal wall, and channel members on the angularside walls for supporting identication cards opposite the individualtumbler holders.

2. In a tray, comprising a horizontal wall surface connected to angularside walls, a plurality of tumbler holders arranged circumferentially ofand formed in said horizontal wall, and identication card holders on theangular side walls opposite the individual tumbler holders.

3. In a tray, comprising a horizontal wall surface connected to obliqueside walls, a plurality of tumbler holders arranged circumferentially ofand formed in said horizontal wall, and identification card holders onthe oblique side walls opposite the individual tumbler holders.

ELENOR CATHERINE HASENOUR.

